Courage & Defiance: Stories of Spies, Saboteurs, and Survivors in World War II Denmark (Scholastic Focus)

About this book

The remarkable story of the Danish resistance and rescue of over 7,000 Jews during WWII

When the Nazis invaded Denmark on Tuesday, April 9, 1940, the people of this tiny country to the north of Germany awoke to a devastating surprise. The government of Denmark surrendered quietly, and the Danes were ordered to go about their daily lives as if nothing had changed. But everything had changed.

Award-winning author Deborah Hopkinson traces the stories of the heroic young men and women who would not stand by as their country was occupied by a dangerous enemy. Rather, they fought back. Some were spies, passing tactical information to the British; some were saboteurs, who aimed to hamper and impede Nazi operations in Denmark; and 95% of the Jewish population of Denmark were survivors, rescued by their fellow countrymen, who had the courage and conscience that drove them to act.

With her talent for digging deep in her research and weaving real voices into her narratives, Hopkinson reveals the thrilling truth behind one of WWII’s most daring resistance movements.

Reviews

Praise for Courage & Defiance: Stories of Spies, Saboteurs, and Survivors in World War II Denmark:

A Sydney Taylor Notable Book
An NCTE Orbis Pictus Recommended Book
A Cybils Award Finalist

"With numerous pictures and illustrations accompanying the text, this is a fascinating look at a little-known corner of WWII." -- Publishers Weekly

"[A] spirited, inspiring, and extremely well-researched book... ideal for both classroom use and independent reading." -- Booklist



Praise for Titanic: Voices from the Disaster:

A Sibert Honor Book
A YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Finalist
An ALA Notable Children's Book
An IRA Teacher's Choice
A Kirkus Reviews Best Young Adult Book of the Year
A Horn Book Fanfare Book
A Cybils Award Finalist

"An affecting portrait of human ambition, folly and almost unbearable nobility in the face of death." -- The Wall Street Journal

"A meticulous recounting of the disaster... Hopkinson's reporting is so rich with information that it will be equally fascinating to young readers and adults alike."
-- Los Angeles Times

*"Hopkinson knows precisely what's she doing in her coverage of the Titanic disaster... [A] fine book." -- The Horn Book, starred review

*"Fascinating... A thorough and absorbing re-creation of the ill-fated voyage."
-- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

*"Riveting." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review

*"An absorbing and richly satisfying read." -- School Library Journal, starred review

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*"Rarely have the links between northern industry, southern agriculture, slavery, war, child labor, and poverty been so skillfully distilled for this audience." -- Booklist, starred review

*"Superb nonfiction writing." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review

*"Excellent." -- School Library Journal, starred review

Praise for Shutting Out the Sky:
*"Nonfiction at its best." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review
*"[A] fascinating read." --School Library Journal, starred review